So a big debate on Twitter recently was about Tyler Perry’s 60 Minutes interview and his response to Spike Lee’s criticism. First off, let me say that Spike Lee’s comments were blown out of proportion. Spike Lee was asked about the progress blacks have made in film making and he offered up examples from the most popular films and TV shows (which happened to be made by Tyler Perry) as proof that we have not made progress and that in fact, we might be going backwards. Factually, it is hard to debate that premise when you examine the fact that we have gone from The Cosby Show and A Different World to House of Payne and Meet the Browns. But some people just don’t seem to get that point. Let me state it plainly.
I don’t support Tyler Perry because I’m elitist
There. I said it. I was struggling to write this, to find the right words to put down but after a drink I scrapped everything and just came with the truth. Tyler Perry makes straight-to-DVD quality movies and shows and it pains me that he gets national recognition as some kind of screenwriting genius. If that makes me a hater, then so be it.
I am not an idiot. I have above average intelligence. I enjoy shows and movies that make me think. I do not want to be hit over the head with an obvious plotline that I can discern from the opening 5 minutes. Yes, there are times when I want to watch a brain dead movie, but that’s what the Sy-Fy Channel and straight to BET or DVD movies are for. Let’s call a spade a spade. Tyler Perry is to good acting and screenwriting what Soulja Boy is to lyrical music. Seriously, watching Oprah call him a genius made me cringe. Is the bar that low now? Sure, his movies have a message and you crack a smile every now and then, but is that where the bar is set? Come on.
Now before you come at me with the increasingly annoying and intellectually lazy “But [Insert White Director/Producer/Film Studio/Actor] makes shitty movies too and no one says anything” let me say that I personally have a history of calling out anyone who makes money off of peddling mediocrity in Hollywood. Check my credentials:
Over the last couple of years of this site and on Twitter, I have:
1. A running joke about how Keanu Reeves has stolen the “I can’t act but still get a big check” role from Nicholas Cage
2. Stated that I want to punch Joel Schumacher in the face for almost destroying Batman
3. Written a devastating critique of X-Men Origins: Wolverine
4. Repeatedly mocked M Night Shyamlan and his epic failure that is called The Happening (I even used it as the theme for mocking Kobe and the Lakers a few years back)
And the list goes on and on. So to have someone lob the brain dead “But white people do it too and you don’t complain” argument is infuriating. The truth is, I know a lot about shitty screenwriting and shitty acting. Both are exhibited by Tyler Perry and his product. Yes, I’ve seen some of his movies and plays (not by my choice) and I even caught 10 minutes of a House of Payne episode where it looked like an actor forgot his line and they just kept rolling. It was horrible. These are the facts. Sure, there is a message in his movies. Yes, they can be entertaining in a rot your brain kind of way. But that does not mean they are good and deserve the accolades they get. Sure, there are white film makers who get accolades for movies and shows that are intellectually lazy but that does not mean that we should cheer Tyler Perry for equaling the low expectations of a white film maker. Since when did we become a society who rewarded mediocrity? Wait, I take that back. I need to be fair. We’ve been going down the road of rewarding lowered expectations for a while now. Tyler Perry is not the first and unfortunately he will not be the last. However, you will have to excuse me for not applauding a man who eats off of putting out a subpar product. I see it as insulting to my education, my intelligence and my own hard work.
No, I won’t “respect the hustle.” I did not respect the hustle of Judd Apatow for putting a bunch of funny comedians (plus Adam Sandler) into a movie called Funny People, only to give us some disjointed melodrama. For that same reason, I won’t respect Tyler Perry and his predictable, lazy screenwriting and the caricatures of black folks that he puts out. And it is a hustle, do not get it twisted. Maybe it is because I see through the hustle and recognize the game Tyler Perry is running that I cannot turn a blind eye to the travesties he puts on screen. I will give it to the man, he’s no dummy. He uses his movies as a way to express his anger towards men for the horrible things his father did to him and his mother while he was growing up. Its no secret Perry’s biggest supporters are women and his man-bashing goes a long way to attracting them to his movies (Sorry but that’s true). He throws in religion because he knows that no matter what, black folk will support you if you use religion as the bait. Ask Karl Rove and George W. Bush how they worked that magic strategy back in 2004. Honestly, I see what Perry is doing and where his success comes from and it is not from talent. That automatically turns me off from giving him any credibility. Spike Lee, being an “elitist black” from the north, also recognizes this and simply stated his true feelings. Least we forget, this is NOT the first time Spike Lee has called out a fellow filmmaker. Toure made a good point on Twitter. In replying to someone else he said:
Spike attacks Tarantino for low-life characters who say nigger. Naturally, he’d attack Tyler for characters who are niggerish
Also let’s remember that Spike Lee criticized Clint Eastwood for the lack of African Americans depicted in Eastwood’s World War II films “Flags of Our Fathers” and “Letters from Iwo Jima“. So its pretty foolhardy to claim that Spike Lee is only picking on Tyler Perry when he routinely speaks out about African American portrayals in films. I’m sorry but I tend to side with Spike Lee in the fact that I think he knows a lot more about how Hollywood works and I’m pretty sure he recognizes that Hollywood is thrilled to have a black film maker making intellectually lazy movies that depict black folks as buffoons. It would be one thing if there was variety in Hollywood but there isn’t and we’ve known for a while now that its a struggle to smart black films to get made and promoted (for the same reason Soulja Boy gets major promotion but Mos Def doesn’t). I sympathize with Spike Lee. Here’s a man that’s spent entire life trying to make smart films and who has spoken out about the portrayal of African Americans in Hollywood and he has to sit there and watch a no-talent hack in Perry come in and get the support of the black community for Perry’s movies involving a 6’3 man cross dressing as “Big Momma”. When you truly think about it, its almost depressing. The Great Debaters grossed around $30 million while Madea Goes to Jail grossed almost $90 million. I rest my case.
Now if you are one of those “We blacks shouldn’t tear each other down” types, you can honestly go screw yourself. I hate to be so crass and rude but I’m tired of people using some sort of “black bonding” guilt trip for why black folks should not criticize other black folk. What Spike Lee did was not a “crabs in a barrel” mentality. Spike Lee as one of the more renowned and critically acclaimed African American film makers, was asked a question and he answered it from his opinion. As far as I know, he has not sought out to destroy or discredit Tyler Perry, he simply answered a question. It would have been foolish of him to hold in his true feelings. Honestly, I applaud him for being truthful instead of ignoring the 800 pound gorilla in the room that everyone else seems to act isn’t there.
Maybe its just me and my film snobbery. I’m extremely hard to please when it comes to movies and black films aren’t off limits to me. I remember back in 2007, I wrote the Top Ten Reasons I Won’t Support Stomp the Yard. I thought it was innocent enough but it turned into me getting 108 comments on Facebook about it. It was at that point I realized that maybe I was alone in my feeling about “black films” and the laziness and poor quality that they exhibit. Listen, I’m all for supporting my people but there should be standards. Just because a black person puts it out, doesn’t mean I’m going to support it. I set the bar high and I refuse to lower it just because “its black people.”
Article by
Kriss believes that if uneducated idiots like Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh can make a living spewing hateful, untrue fantasies, then damn it…he should be able to be a truthful asshole for a living. Kriss has been diagnosed with a severe allergy to stupidity and people that irrational decisions. He likes to point out the fools on both sides of the aisle, be it democrat, republican, black or white…it doesn’t matter. Kriss is also the creator of TheInsanityReport.com and host of the award winning Insanity Check Podcast.
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Huh man, this whole situation is another reason I can’t stand the terms “hater” and “hating”. As Common said: “If I don’t like it, I don’t like it that don’t mean that I’m hating”. If everyone is special…no one is special. I’m feeling like we won’t progess if we’re scared to call out some amongst us, regardless of their fame, fortune or perceived success. Also…I’ve heard people say he’s the only black person with a Major film studio….no, no, no. Major film studios do more than put out movies made by the founder/owner. I’d give Master P more credit for having a major record label….at least his boys and some other folks got albums put out.
thumbs up on the Common lyric…that line is so applicable to many situations…including this one….what is so sad is that my Grandmother lives and breaths her Thursday (I think its Thursday) of Meet the Browns and is the first one to “buy” a new TP production….
*STANDING OVATION* I couldn’t agree more! People are mad at Spike but for what speaking the damn truth! Tyler Perry, spews out mediocre at best movies every 5 minutes because he knows people will flock to see that substandard garbage.
Personally, I’ve never been a fan of Perry, not because he’s a drag queen (I laughed at Flip Wilson as Geraldine), but because all his movies are the same.
I’m ambivalent on this issue. Your piece gave me a different perspective. I am an avid movie goer. If black people are in the film I go and encourage others to go as well. I think we cant complain about not being represented in film and then dont support the movies that we are in. I totally see what you are saying. But I dont put Spike and Tyler in the same category, it’s oranges to apples. I thoroughly enjoyed Why Did I Get Married but cringed all through Meet the Browns. When I go see a Tyler Perry movie I know what I’m signing up for. I dont expect to be moved to the core or my life changed. I expect to laugh and feel good with mindless entertainment just like when I went to see the Hangover (funny as hell). At the same token I found it very sad my mother and I were the only 2 black people sprinkled in a theater of maybe 20 people for Miracle at St Anna. Its tough. Can we not embrace both Spike and Tyler? Why do we have to choose…
true story
Gutsy Article. Keep on writing. Perry, Stop!
I agree with your statement. I look to Tyler Perry as an inspiration… following your dreams no matter what. He deserves success for the hard word and determination he’s put in. I also applaud his efforts for creating a studio and having more control over his product. I do feel that his Madea roles and stories are what got his foot in the door, why not expand the empire? Hire OTHER African-American screen writers. Listen to their stories and help them create genuine and intelligent films and television programming. I think Precious is a step in the right direction for Tyler Perry, but I’m sure there was a little piece of him wondering if he could throw on the “Madea” costume and fit her into that storyline somehow.
@Veronica, And he had nothing to do with Precious except his financially help the movie be distributed.
@JG*, Ugh. I was thinking and typing two different things. He basically just provided promotional assistance and money.
At the end of the day, everything is not for everybody. I assume that you are looking at Tyler Perry movies from a filmmaker’s perspective. I, on the other hand, look at Tyler Perry movies from a business perspective. In order for any business/company to be extremely successful they must have a clear understanding of what their niche will be. Tyler Perry has successfully found his niche. He knows his target market and he is catering to them and could careless about anyone else. I respect his hustle because business is business and entertainment cannot be confined by one personal opinion.
@wsmw85,
” he is catering to them and could careless about anyone else”
And that’s the problem I have.
But that is how businesses operate. You cannot please everyone and you will go broke trying. So just please those that appreciate your art and let everyone else find their own producer or director to follow. Another African American will come along and create quality movies, so just wait. Hell, he might be working for Tyler Perry right now.
@wsmw85, My whole goal in life is to make business think more socially responsibly. That’s what irritates me about many companies, including his. Perry could definitely hire better black writers. I will not lie and say that I have personal issues with the man. He is an asshole. my interactions with him lead to me believe this.
I am not going to walk up in Tiffany & Co. and complain to the manager that store is not carrying anything in my price range because I know that Tiffany & Co. is not for me. With that being said, I am not going to complain about Tyler Perry’s movies because they are not for me.
Tyler perry is raping the black man in the lowest way black face sterotypes…
I am sick and tired of people putting down Tyler Perry. Sure everyone is entitled to there opinion but this debate is as tired as the Beyonce put downs. Black people work 10 times harder to achieve anything in this country and when they do guess what happens? Other black people have to dissect their craft and point out all the negatives. Everyone knows what to except with all of Tyler Perry’s films sure they are predictiable but why focus on that? Tyler is one of the few that depicts is african american characters in a positive light. In Why Did I Get Married they were doctors, lawyers, chemist, and award winning psychologist. But no we don’t give him credit for that we break him down. He is a genius. Maybe not in screenwritting but in business he is. No one can deny that. But once again instead of focusing on the good we focus on the negitive. I personally support everything he does. I go to the plays the movies and occasionally watch the tv show…..woosah. woosah. ok I’m done.
@FashionDiva, I can find a genius selling crack and recognize his genius while denoucing his product. In this case…I think dudes movies suck.
@ Amadeo Why is there such a big debate about why his movies suck or not? What is entertaining to me may not be entertaining to you and vice versa. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Tyler Perry and Spike Lee are not the be all and end all of African American movies.
@wsmw85, For the moment they seem to be…name more black film makers with their status. They are not only the two big examples they represent two sides. That’s why there’s such a big debate. Cause there aren’t many names that you can throw into that mix.
I agree wholeheartedly with Kriss on this. I think the whole Spike Lee vs Tyler Perry debate is really about the state of black people as a whole. Tyler Perry didn’t force people to go to his movies. There are A LOT of black people who LOVE his films and identify with them. Scary, I know! And there A LOT of black people who DON’T GET Spike Lee Joints at all. I had this debate with my very ignorant, very old coworker(don’t worry, she doesn’t know what a blog is) who loves Tyler Perry. But she also thinks Beyonce is a great entertainer and fashion designer…hmmm. She doesn’t get Spike’s films. Unfortunately when I go to Harlem, Detroit, ATL and Newark, I see more black folk that think like that than ones that think like me. As a people, it’s as if so many of favor the ignorance or the intelligence. Maybe it’s black culture as a whole that keeps so many of us stupid. I believe Perry when he said he knows people that act like Madea’s family. So do I, but I don’t want to see them in a movie. What I’m saying is that no matter how many smart black films (or any other media) come out the unintelligible is going to win in the majority. Remember the Jamie Foxx’s The Soloist vs Beyonce’s Obsessed? I guess more people wanted to see a white girl get her ass kicked. SMH
Until more elitists black people (or whatever you want to call yourself) make an conscious effort to correct this general ignorance, this attitude will continue. ie. Soulja Boy and his popularity…
I don’t like Tyler Perry or Spike Lee movies. I enjoy romantic comedies. Does this make me ignorant?
I think I’m going to have to agree with this article. Yes, “I love me some Tyler Perry movies” (purposely stated in improper grammatical structure to illustrate the point of ignorance), but I will say, that his movies (ok, so the three that I’ve seen), do have a moral, which is always good.
I think what TP is trying to do is reach out to those in the black community who wouldn’t normally watch an intelligent comedy, and bring a sense of moral standards to their life. I wouldn’t call it talent, but I would call it a smart move. It’s sad that there are so many in the black community (especially youth), that won’t watch a black movie if it lacks “street cred” or a sense of “hoodness” (again, this isn’t everybody, but I’m sure you all know at least one person out there like this). These people are the same people who are quick to call a black person a “sellout” or tell them that they “act white” because they value a college degree and presenting themselves with proper diction and proper-fitting attire (i.e. sans the *ss out of the pants movement).
Point: TP is not talented at writing deep characters and making groundbreaking films and television shows. However, TP is smart enough to know how to get those people who wouldn’t normally listen to do so. If we really think about it, TP could be used as our greatest weapon for combating stereotypes and ignorance in the black community by using the films to promote things such as a higher education, reading as a cool thing, or de-glamorizing the ignorant stereotypes that are initially portrayed in his releases to date.
Maybe I’m looking at this a little to optimistically, but I think something good could come out of a TP/ Spike Lee collaboration, since the two of them represent two distinct types of cinematography….maybe it could actually aid in bringing the black community together.
Tyler perry movies are very funny*i love him so much plus they make since i dont kno why spike lee is complainin i mean its like why should he get mad at something like that it isnt worth it they both are funny well but spike lee talk about life tyler perry does it to but make it funny shoulnt no one talk about something like this cuz sometimes it dosent always make any since*but spike in tyler are funny i dont kno why any one should be hating on this man when he have so much in common him in tyler perry have the same thing in common*i love them both*sometimes people get mad cuz they aint det person * i mean come on now it isnt worth it to sit down in have a talk with him because they dont understand whats going on it aint no right for no one to get mad i love them both i mean there isnt nonthing wrong with any one of them*I mean spike lee can get kinda boaring but i dont kno why people are like that i mean like people shoulnt get mad beucase of all this stuff i dont know why spike lee well i dont know why tyler perry sat down in listened to what he had to say i Mean it isnt allaways what one eprson wont you kno what im saying*>?Sometimes it just people hating i mean Spike was out b4 tyler but there isnt a right for someone to get mad*at that because they movies werent the same in funny in people isnt paying attention to him now*thats why people do the same thing its alot of hating going around but people cant get mad at that because they dont have the same mind as one person*but the thing is spike mad because its a new person like tyler perry out running it in he just mad cuz heis movies wasnt good as tyler perry(is now i Mean i,d rather watch tyler perry movies than just watch them other movies i mean conme on now**I love them both but noone shoulnt get mad because they movies aint i!!!! But yeap none shoulnt get mad over that kind of stuff like that they both should just grow up in be them i mean its alot of things to do in life*
Uhhh yup*.
Spike lee in tyler perrry got good movies but Why would they wona hate on egether i mean come on now it aint even time for that*!!!!!!!!!but they both,.Make good movies but spike lee should be happu cuz he got more ,money but its ok*!!!!!!!!!!!